State long-term care bill would fund workforce initiatives but stiffen provider penalties
By
Josh Henreckson
Jul 12, 2024
Eight months after its passage through the Massachusetts State House, a bill to fund investments in the long-term care workforce and increase state oversight powers appears poised to pass the State Senate.
Long-term care providers are now struggling with a shortage of ambulance operators in addition to their own struggles with finding workers during the ongoing public health crisis.
Lab’s COVID testing errors ‘sowed fear,’ cost operators tens of thousands of dollars
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 08, 2020
Some nursing home operators were forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars and face staffing shortages following testing errors by a Massachusetts laboratory.
Nursing homes appeal expulsion from Medicaid over alleged COVID-19 failures
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 06, 2020
At least two Massachusetts providers are fighting back after receiving termination notices from the state’s Medicaid program over COVID-19 responses deemed unacceptable.
Federal funds, opioid settlement money will repay students loans for LTC staff
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Aug 29, 2023
Massachusetts will use a combination of funding from the federal government and opioid lawsuit settlements to help repay more than $140 million of student loan debt for healthcare workers. Some of that...
State weighing ‘living wage’ for all nursing home workers
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Mar 01, 2023
Companion bills moving through the Massachusetts House and Senate would require that MassHealth — the state’s Medicaid program — reimburse facilities enough to pay all employees a “living wage.”
COVID-19 criminal charges against nursing home leaders ‘first of many,’ legal expert says
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 28, 2020
Coronavirus-based criminal charges against two leaders of a Massachusetts veterans nursing home where 76 patients died will likely be the first of many cases across the country regarding nursing home care...
Whether facing an exodus or a trickle, LTC operators are activating these hiring strategies ahead of...
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 23, 2021
When Salmon Health and Retirement instituted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its four Massachusetts nursing homes, CEO Matt Salmon was confident in the decision because he expected state officials would...
State news roundup
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 07, 2023
MASSACHUSETTS — Four nursing homes in the same county announced they would close by June, chased out of the state by a “reconfiguring” reform meant to improve the quality of care.
Staffing agencies to pay $260K for alleged gouging of nursing homes, senior living operators
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jan 30, 2024
Three temporary staffing agencies accused of collectively price gouging long-term care providers in at least 10 different ways will pay more than $260,000 to resolve allegations of wrongdoing, Massachusetts...